Joe Lolley is strongly pressing for a first Championship start against Wigan Athletic just days after making his Town debut as a substitute.
The fleet-footed wingman impressed Mark Robins in his 22 minutes of action against Leeds United and the boss admits he would have no qualms giving the exciting talent a run when Uwe Rosler’s side visit in 48 hours.
It’s the first John Smith’s Stadium match for which 21-year-old Lolley – who was cup-tied against Charlton Athletic – has been available and Robins confessed he believes the £300,000 transfer fee to Kidderminster Harriers is money well spent for a player capable of getting the crowd roaring.
“Joe is a good player and one of those we’ve got to try and keep on the upward curve,” said Robins, who will welcome Adam Hammill (thigh injury) back to full training today.
“He proved on Saturday when he went on against Leeds that playing at this level doesn’t faze him and I was really pleased with him – he provided a real positive.
“It’s now a matter of how best to involve him and at what points in the upcoming games, because we need to keep Joe going and we need to develop him in one or two ways – but I do very much like the raw material.”
Lolley went on after 68 minutes at Leeds for his League debut. His pressing for a start comes as Robins must also consider whether to include fit-again trio James Vaughan, Jonathan Hogg and Joel Lynch.
“It wouldn’t faze me to give Joe a chance – I’m all for giving people opportunities who are doing a good job,” said Robins.
“We are playing really well with the ball at the moment and all we need is to be a bit more clinical.”
